GETTING BACK TO NATURE
Playground of adventures, meeting place of friends, eerie or familiar… woods and forests encapsulate something utterly British: a gloriously fresh, green mustiness that sparks contrary emotions and – often – deep feelings of peace. After months of lockdown we all need nature to help us re-calibrate, to reset priorities and re-fuel our resilience… and that begs a good few great trees. Kate Colquhoun rounds up the best places to visit, and stay, to help you us rediscover Britain’s green glories….
Fforest
Described as a hip mix of Welsh farm and Japanese forest retreat, Fforesthas two sites in mid Wales - both with space for traditional camping, pre-erected teepees and geodesic domes – are as basic or luxe as you choose. There are wood-burners, Welsh blankets, gas hobs for cooking, chilled communal spaces and endless access to nature, as well as masses of activities to get stuck into, from bush-crafting to rock climbing and wild swimming. The coast is nearby and there’s a wildlife reserve teeming with birdlife, too. For solo parents, the big sell is that you don’t have to pack, carry or put up your tent. You can keep yourself to yourself if you wish but the vibe is to lounge in the communal areas with other adults in the evening (social distancing safely of course) – so you get to unwind, while your offspring run safely with the other children in the group.
The Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust has loads of tips on how to help your kids identify different trees, as well as the plants and animals that live in woods. You can join up to become a ‘Nature Detective’ for £5 a month and receive activity packs, a member magazine and a guide to more than 1000 woods across the UK which takes the strain out of school nature-projects, and does away with the need for lengthy research before setting out for the day. They also host events at festivals and fairs and, once we are out of lockdown, will reschedule programmes that promise to end your toddler or teenager’s moans when you suggest a walk. Instead, they will be engaged, with a newfound appreciation for wellies and their wonder for the woods.
Lost Meadow Treehouse
Lost Meadow Treehouse in Bodmin looks like a giant beehive – a wooden sphere suspended deep in the Cornish woods with a ceiling window through which to gaze at the stars. The treehouse is just a few miles from the south coast with a kitchen hut and fire pit on the ground beneath (and a good local pub to stave off hunger and provide you with distraction). With two single beds, simply pack your sleeping bags and prepare for a magical time in your little woodland bubble, with only the deer and kingfishers as for company.
The New Forest & Sherwood Forest
Tucked away in the South of England, The New Forest – William the Conqueror’s hunting ground – is a camping idyll with its free-ranging cattle, ponies and wild deer among the mighty oaks and beeches. Weekend breaks here focus on climbing trees, muddy walks, insect hunts and campfire dinners. You can even hire bikes and explore miles of cycle tracks.
Britain’s oldest, tallest, widest trees:
‘Get to know a tree’ is No1 of the National Trust’s ’50 things to do before you’re 13 and ¾’. Some of the best ancient woodland walks with gnarly, hollowed-out glories can be found at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, Croft Castle Herefordshire, Crom in County Fermanagh and Dinefwr in Camarthenshire and the best climbing trees are at Brownsea Island, Hatfield Forest (Essex) and Speke Hall (Liverpool). Making it easy to pinpoint the kind of tree you’re after, in a spot you can easily access, the National Trust has a free downloadable activity pack which will help give your trip a focused backbone and most have cafes with kid-friendly food and drink to avoid those ‘hangry’ moments when energy dips.